Sam Allardyce’s Baggies head into their third game in eight days looking to secure three crucial points against Newcastle United at The Hawthorns on Sunday afternoon (ko 12pm).
Nine points separate the sides going into the weekend’s clash and Albion will be determined to cut back the gap as they look to climb the table.
Newcastle
Their last time out
Newcastle were left frustrated in their last Premier League game, drawing 1-1 with Wolves.
Skipper Jamaal Lascelles’ header had given the Magpies an early second-half lead, but Ruben Neves’ equaliser ensured the spoils were shared in the North East.
In the dugout
Steve Bruce is looking to secure Premier League football for a second season running under his control at St James’ Park.
The 60-year-old, who grew up just a matter of miles away from Newcastle in Corbridge, led the North East outfit to a 13th placed finish during his first campaign at the helm last year.
Bruce departed Sheffield Wednesday in favour of Newcastle in the summer of 2019, leaving the Sky Bet Championship outfit after losing just three of his 18 matches in charge at Hillsborough. Prior to half a season in charge of the Owls during 2019, Bruce nearly guided Aston Villa back to the Premier League after reaching the 2018 Play-Off final. But a defeat to Fulham denied him the fifth promotion of his managerial career from England's second tier.
The former Manchester United defender began his coaching career at Sheffield United and has gone on to manage another nine clubs over nearly 23 years in the dugout. Two of those clubs include Midlands rivals Birmingham City and Villa, and Bruce will be keen to be successful against another when his Newcastle team visit The Hawthorns on Sunday.
One to watch
Dwight Gayle will have his sights set on seizing the opportunity to impress against his former club, if handed a start on Sunday.
Gayle, who enjoyed a successful loan spell with the Baggies during the 2018/19 season, came off the bench to net the winner in the reverse game between the sides earlier in the season.
And although the striker has been limited to substitute appearances in the league this term, injuries to influential attackers Miguel Almiron and Allan Saint-Maximin will provide a chance for the 31-year-old to stake a claim for a starting role in their absence.
Our last meeting
Dwight Gayle’s header cancelled out Darnell Furlong's first Premier League goal to secure a 2-1 victory for Newcastle back in November 2020.
Albion’s last Premier League home win over the Magpies came back in December 2015, as Darren Fletcher’s second half effort secured all three points at The Hawthorns.
Stats
Albion
- Albion have lost just one of their last five PL home games against the Magpies.
- Similarly, the Baggies have scored in 10 of their last 11 matches with Newcastle at The Hawthorns.
- Sam Allardyce is unbeaten in his last four managerial games against Newcastle (W3, D1).
Newcastle
- The Magpies have one of the highest number of yellow cards this season (47).
- Newcastle have made the second-highest number of clearances this season (583).
- Steve Bruce has won two of his last three managerial games against Albion.
Head to head
| Albion wins | Draw | Newcastle wins | |
| League | 43 | 34 | 46 |
| FA Cup | 3 | 0 | 2 |
| League Cup | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 48 | 34 | 48 |
Our one to watch
Conor Gallagher produced another tireless performance against Everton on Thursday evening.
In recent matches at The Hawthorns, the box-to-box midfielder’s energetic presence has forced opposition players into mistakes, winning possession back for the Baggies, enabling Sam Allardyce’s side to create more opportunities.
And with another important home clash against Newcastle this weekend, Gallagher will be determined to put another big shift in and help Albion continue their creativity in the attacking third.
Follow the game
Gez Mulholland will be joined by once midfield-now-microphone maestro Andy Johnson to provide proudly partisan commentary and an expert insight for WBA Radio.
To listen live to Baggies-biased commentary on WBA Radio for free for every home and away match during the 2020/21 season all you have to do is sign up for a free My Albion account.
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Live commentary starts from 15 minutes before kick-off and will be accessible through the live match centre or WBA TV.
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The game is also available to watch on Amazon Prime.